The first settlers of this neighbourhood gave it its name because of the hermitage in the surroundings where spiritual retreats took place. In the year 1691, the Spanish governor Don Agustin de Robles built a house here and also called it El Retiro.

The neighbourhood also owes its name, since 1704, to the Compaa de Francia y de Guinea Company, and later to the Compaa de Inglaterra, Mar del Sur Company, which were companies created for the slave trafficking market. They named the neighbourhood thus because the Cdula Real (Royal Warrant) authorizing their establishments had been signed in the Palacio del Buen Retiro Palace, in Madrid.

The first military fortifications in the area were built in 1772, and the Artillery and Prisoners Quarters were finished by 1792. The bullfighting plaza was installed in this sector, where now you will find the Plaza San Martin Square.

From 1852 the neighbourhood acquired an astonishing social importance due to the moving in of some of the most important Porteo (belonging to the Port of Buenos Aires) families, who used to live in the Monserrat or Santo Domingo neighbourhood, south of the Plaza Mayor (Main Square).

The name Retiro was kept.

The neighbourhood structure has the Plaza San Martin Square at its centre.

Its sidewalks, its streets stand out, along with its beautiful Plaza de los Ingleses (Englishmen Square), with its Tower of the same name.

Today, Retiro boasts of one of the biggest plazas in the city, luxurious hotels and numerous office buildings. Besides, its name is linked with the huge train, bus and colectivo public transport stations than operate in the area, from which one can travel to different inland spots.

The area named Catalinas Norte (comprised between Eduardo Madero and Leandro N. Aleman Avs and San Martin St), where today stand intelligent constructions holding the offices of the most important multinationals in the country, commenced its urban development no more than three decades ago.

Some traditional residences worth pointing out are the Kavanagh, from the 1940s, the Plaza Hotel and the Anchorena Palace (former chancellery building), all facing at Plaza San Martin Square.

The Retiro neighbourhood is well sought for lodgings. Nowadays it is one of the neighbourhoods preferred by tourists, and a must for purchasing regional articles of: precious craftsmanship, leather, stones and other autochthonous products.